1. It’s the shoes, silly: A study by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society found that 88 percent of women in the United States wear shoes that are too small, and 55 percent have bunions. Bunions are nine times more common in women than men. The most common cause of bunions is the prolonged wearing of poorly fitting shoes, usually those with a narrow, pointed toe box that squeezes the toes into an unnatural position. Bunions also may be caused by arthritis or polio.
2. What they are: A sometimes painful structural deformity of the bones and the joint between the foot and big toe. The big toe may turn in toward the second toe and tissues around the joint may be swollen or tender, causing a bump on the side of the big toe.
3. Prevention: You can keep bunions from growing painful by switching to shoes that fit properly. Some advice from foot experts at Penn State College of Medicine: Don’t select shoes by size because sizes can vary by brands and styles. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot. Get shoes that conform as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
4. Dealing with bunions: Some shoes can be modified by stretching the areas that put pressure on your toes. Splints to reposition the big toe and orthotics (special shoe inserts shaped to your feet) also may relieve pain.
5. Surgery: If non-surgical treatment fails and you have severe foot pain, swelling or stiffness, you may want to consider surgery. There’s a six- to eight-week recovery period. Be aware that bunion surgery can reduce pain and align toes better, but it will not allow you to wear a smaller shoe size or narrow, pointed shoes. In fact, you’ll have some shoe restrictions for the rest of your life, warns the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.

Wear well-fitting shoes to prevent blisters
A foot blister can have a very painful effect on a person’s daily routine.
Foot blisters generally occur because of friction and burns caused by shoes that don’t fit a person’s feet properly, but there’s no reason why you should have to grin and bear the pain of a foot blister — especially if you purchase shoes that offer the right combination of size, comfort and support.
The Mayo Clinic suggests consumers keep the following tips in mind when shopping for shoes:
• Head out on a midday shoe-shopping trip. A person’s feet swell throughout the day, so a midday fitting will probably offers the best opportunity for a proper fit.
• Wear socks you’ll use when walking, or bring them with you to the store.
• Measure your feet each time you buy new shoes. Shoe sizes change throughout adulthood.
• Measure both feet and always try on both shoes. If your feet differ in size, go with the larger size.
• Examine shoes for flexibility, support and cushioned insoles.
• Make sure you can comfortably wiggle your toes inside the shoes.